"Cough… huff…" Rampage pants.
"You okay, Rampage-san?" Minamisaka asks.
"You're messing with me…" she groans.
"Plenty of stamina," he smirks.
The camp pushes into August, and Rampage, dragging a tire through the sea, recalls Ikuno's Phoenix Stakes. Waves are moderate today, and she's adapted—no longer grueling. But that's led to early morning sessions, three daily, with longer durations.
"I'm getting used to it," Rampage mutters.
Lively voices approach from the beach.
"What's Ran doing!?" Teio yells.
"What is that!?" McQueen adds.
"Spica, huh?" Rampage glances over.
Teio and McQueen gape at her training. Minamisaka greets them.
"Spica's here too?" he asks.
"Trainer suddenly said we're switching camp spots!" Teio explains.
"Interesting…" Minamisaka muses.
"Yo, Minami-chan," Okino calls, trailing Taishin and CB.
"Stop that nickname. It's Rampage-san's thing," Minamisaka frowns.
"C'mon, it's just a name!" Okino protests.
"Then I'll call you Pervert Okino," Minamisaka retorts.
"Hey!" Okino slumps as Spica—CB, Teio, McQueen, Taishin—laughs, offering no defense. Fix your behavior, they imply.
"What's that menu for Rampage? Black Marsh's style?" Okino asks.
"I consulted him, but it's 80% mine," Minamisaka replies.
"Seriously?" Okino gawks.
Rampage cuts in. "Why's Spica here? Three teams now?"
"Hana-san asked. A change of scenery's nice," Okino says.
"Hmm…" Minamisaka ponders.
Ticket spots Taishin, sprinting over. "Taishin!! Why're you here!?"
"Loud as ever… ask the trainer," Taishin grumbles.
"Let's visit Hayahide later! She's training hard here!" Ticket beams.
"Maybe," Taishin shrugs.
"Gotta greet Hana-san. We're heading to the hotel. Later!" Okino leads Spica off.
Ticket waves, rejoining Turbo. Rampage eyes Minamisaka, still deep in thought. Hana calling Spica raises suspicions.
"Minami-chan, got Rigil's plan?" Rampage asks.
"No proof, but likely," he nods.
"And?"
"For Flora, probably."
"Flora?" Rampage frowns. Calling Spica for one Uma Musume seems odd, not team-wide. A mock race?
"What's Flora's route?" Minamisaka quizzes.
"Tiara, like me," Rampage answers.
"Correct. Is she winning?"
"Nope. I am."
"Exactly. She's stagnating."
Rampage researched Flora, a pre-Classic unbeaten star worthy of Rigil. But in Classics, Rampage and Ikuno block her victories, stunting her growth.
"Losing repeatedly affects mentality and training efficiency. Breaking that needs drastic measures," Minamisaka explains.
"Drastic? Like calling Spica?"
"Likely. Hana-san's pitting her against Rudolf and CB."
Rampage's jaw drops. She's raced seniors like Oguri, Tama, and Creek—valuable lessons—but Rudolf and CB are Triple Crown titans, far beyond typical seniors.
"Triple Crowners? That's insane," Rampage says.
"It's a gamble," Minamisaka agrees.
Facing stronger foes could transform Flora—or break her. It's a risky bet.
"Hana-san knows Flora won't win. Clinging to Triple Crowners builds resilience to challenge you," Minamisaka says.
"If it works, how strong?" Rampage asks.
"No telling. It's a volatile method."
Beating might crush Flora or forge her strength, but it may not suit her style. Facing Dream Trophy elites with seasoned skill is a gamble.
"Whatever. I'll just run," Rampage shrugs.
"Then, new menu today," Minamisaka smiles.
"Ugh…" Rampage braces. Swimming with the tire? Hill sprints? A tap on her shoulder interrupts.
"You look lively," a voice says.
"Ramone-chan-senpai!" Rampage exclaims.
Ramone, in a white dress and wide hat, looks like a married woman.
"Why're you here?" Rampage asks.
"Minamisaka-san invited me," Ramone replies.
"Minami-chan?" Rampage turns.
"I called her—as your training partner," he confirms.
"What!?"
Ramone, chuckling, sheds her dress for a tracksuit. It's go-time.
"Starting today, match races with Ramone-san. Canopus will join too," Minamisaka says.
"She just ran Summer Dream Trophy!" Rampage protests.
"I rested at Mejiro's spa. I'm ready♪" Ramone assures.
(This is gonna hurt), Rampage thinks. In the Summer Dream Trophy, Ramone battled Rudolf and CB, finishing third behind CB's second and Rudolf's first—a revenge win for Rudolf.
"Planned to call another, but schedules clashed. Ramone-san's enough," Minamisaka says.
"Enough!? She's a luxury!" Rampage stammers.
"Let's train for your Triple Tiara," Ramone grins.
"All prior training was to prep for Ramone-san. If you hadn't hit the mark, I wouldn't have called her," Minamisaka reveals.
"So…"
"It gets tougher. Good luck♪"
"Demon…" Rampage mutters.
What's worse than her current training? Racing Ramone will be invaluable, but brutal.
"I played the demon well," Minamisaka teases.
"No, no, you're an angel of mercy!" Rampage backtracks.
"Then take this as mercy for your Triple Tiara and Japan Cup. Ramone-san, go."
"On it♪" Ramone beams.
"Demon!!" Rampage wails.
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